AaronCapenBanner Sidney Hayers directed this British adaptation of the Fritz Leiber novel(previously filmed as "Weird Woman" with Lon Chaney Jr.) that stars Peter Wyngarde as a skeptical college professor who is disdainful of anything supernatural or magic, who is shocked to learn that his wife Tansy(played by Janet Blair) is a practicing witch! She insists that it is because of her good magic that he has proved so successful, but he scoffs and destroys her protective charms; strangely, his luck takes a distinct turn for the worse as a result, as it is also obvious that someone else is targeting them with bad magic as well... Good cast in this moderately interesting thriller that does become somewhat too talky, but still mostly works, with exciting ending.

vharrison-3 There is something irresistible about older British horror films. Here is one of them. While surfing through NetFlix last night, I ran across this little gem from 1962. The title rang a bell in my memory and I queued it. I became intrigued by the premise and stayed with the film to its exciting ending. Horror film fans who love creepiness at its low key but effective best will find this movie a jewel. It certainly provides a unique insight into academic tenure. The story and acting are great. Admittedly, the film is somewhat dated. It has few special effects. It is nonetheless highly recommended. It still carries a psychological wallop. Enjoy this minor fright classic.

gavin6942 A skeptical college professor (Peter Wyngarde) discovers that his wife (Janet Blair) has been practicing magic for years. Like the learned, rational fellow he is, he forces her to destroy all her magical charms and protective devices, and stop that foolishness.Prom producer Sam Arkoff (American International Pictures) and writers Charles Beaumont and Richard Matheson (Matheson a frequent AIP contributor and both veterans of "Twilight Zone") comes this tale that I had never heard of before catching it in October 2011 in Chicago. How has a horror fan like myself missed such a well-acted, well-crafted and well-executed classic? I suspect the reason this film is not well known is the lack of a "star" (such as Vincent Price). But Wyngarde is incredible -- smart, strong, handsome... the ideal leading man. And you have some provocative material, too -- rape accusations, witchcraft (done very realistically) and more...I strongly recommend checking out this film. I first saw it as "Night of the Eagle" on the big screen, and then later as "Burn Witch Burn" on Netflix. Both versions are excellent and should be seen by anyone who likes a good story. (The only difference between versions that I noticed was that BWB has a 2-minute voice-over starting it off.)

skin-dancer666 Well this IS a surprise. I recently picked this up online for a song, mainly because i am a Fritz Leiber fan and wanted to see how his classic tale "conjure wife" translated onto film. Well i was very pleasantly surprised, Peter Wyngarde (Jason King, Dept S, he of the heroic sideburns) plays a resolutely logical psychology (Spoiler) professor who discovers his domestic goddess wife is in fact a practising witch, in an attempt to persuade her that all this witchcraft gubbins is nonsense he burns all her herbs, talismans and dried spiders!!!, and then the weirdness starts..... In the wrong hands this would have been a slice of high campness but in the highly competent hands of Sidney Hayers this becomes a taut, effective thrilling tale. A great atmosphere, moodily shot in B&W with some effective set pieces helps to elevate this pic into the rarified atmosphere, of the Haunting and village of the damned, full marks to Wyngarde for playing this straight, his scene in the college when he confronts the OTHER campus witch is a particular favourite. If you haven't come across this before then give it a whirl, goes to show that you don't need CGI or special effects to send a shiver down the spine.....splendid stuff indeed.